identification

American  

[ahy-den-tuh-fi-key-shuhn, ih-den-] / aɪˌdɛn tə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən, ɪˌdɛn- /

noun

1. an act or instance of identifying; the state of being identified.

   Synonyms:

   affiliation, connection, association

2. something that identifies a person, animal, or thing.

   He carries identification with him at all times.

3. Sociology. acceptance as one's own of the values and interests of a social group.

4. Psychology.

   1. a process by which one ascribes to oneself the qualities or characteristics of another person.

   2. (in psychoanalytic theory) the transference or reaction to one person with the feelings or responses relevant to another, as the identification of a teacher with a parent.

   3. perception of another as an extension of oneself.

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identification British  

/ aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of identifying or the state of being identified

2. 1. something that identifies a person or thing

   2. ( as modifier )

      an identification card

3. psychol

   1. the process of recognizing specific objects as the result of remembering

   2. the process by which one incorporates aspects of another person's personality See also empathy

   3. the transferring of a response from one situation to another because the two bear similar features See also generalization

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Other Word Forms

• nonidentification noun
• overidentification noun
• preidentification noun
• reidentification noun

Etymology

Origin of identification

First recorded in 1635–45; identi(fy) + -fication

Example Sentences

In a study published in PNAS, researchers from The University of Texas at Austin report the first detailed identification of large river drainage systems on Mars.

From Science Daily

A preliminary post-mortem examination has been carried out, but further tests are needed to establish the cause of death and formal identification of the victim has yet to take place, Wiltshire Police added.

From BBC

The fossils were first discovered in 2015, but transforming them into scientific evidence required nearly ten years of careful excavation, preparation, sorting, identification, and analysis.

From Science Daily

It’s also relatively simple to claim the assets after you’re gone with your death certificate, identification and a claim form.

From MarketWatch

The body of the mother was recovered on Sunday but formal identification is yet to take place.

From BBC

Related Words

• description
• passport
• recognition
• testimony